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Chapter 6

Shuree showed Dagar to the guest yurt. The uproar that had ensued after her announcement still had her head spinning, but Amar was right about one thing—Dagar didn’t need to witness siblings fighting. Erhi had calmed Amar and then taken Mengu out to the buried Erseg with the Erseg messengers and some warriors Shuree trusted to protect them.

“I thought you were speaking with the authority of your tribe when you came to us,” Dagar said as they reached the door.

“I was. My brother agreed to my proposal before I left. I fear he is still mourning my father and brothers, particularly after what happened to Father.”

He sighed. “I should warn my tribe.”

She placed a hand on his arm. “Please wait. This afternoon we will vote in our new leader. If Amar is chosen, you and your people can ride home and warn them.”

“I trusted you.”

The concern and betrayal in his eyes twisted her heart. “And I trusted my brother.” Her chest ached. So close to a peaceful solution. “I will talk to him again. I need to make him see sense.”

“He will tell you what you want to hear in order to become khan.”

He was right. She closed her eyes and exhaled. “Then I will still put my name forward.”

“Even though you don’t want to be khan?”

She nodded. “Peace for the whole of Rhora is far more important than my own desires.”

His hand brushed her chin as he lifted it and she opened her eyes. “That is brave. Fighting with family is far harder than with anyone else.”

He understood. “I’m sure your brother wasn’t happy with you when you mentioned I’d bested him on the battlefield.”

“No, he wasn’t.” Dagar chuckled. “I will wait until this evening before I leave,” he said. “Not because I trust your people, but because I believe in you. If anyone can bring peace to Rhora, it is you.” He walked into the yurt.

Shuree’s heart beat uncomfortably hard in her chest. With one last look at Dagar’s door, she went to find her brother.

Amar was stillin the khan’s tent, and Gan was with him when she walked in. They both glared at her and Amar’s fierce hatred stabbed her, but she would not let her love for him sway her. He had always been quick to react, to fight and then forgive and he was easily swayed by his friend. As children they had often bickered and because she hated it so much, she usually gave in. Not this time.

“I need to speak with my brother alone, Gan.”

“You’re going to slaughter our tribe,” Gan said as he shoved past her and out of the tent.

Shuree ignored him, instead meeting her brother’s gaze. “Don’t look at me like that, Amar. You know why I went to the Erseg tribe.”

“How can you even consider peace with them?” he demanded. “They cut off Father’s head.”

Nausea rose in her and she blocked the memory. “I know. I found him.” Her voice was dull.

He stood and came to her, wrapping her in his arms. He wore the same musky scent as all the men in her family and she squeezed her eyes closed, breathing through her mouth so it wouldn’t affect her so much. His voice switched to cajoling. “Don’t you see what barbarians they are? They don’t treat the dead with any respect.” The tone was so familiar from their childhood arguments.

She wanted to cling to him and sob, but she wouldn’t let him distract or persuade her. She stepped back, swallowed hard. “Dagar says they are investigating it.”

Amar frowned. “Well he would say that.”

She shook her head. “I believe him. He wants this peace as well. It was he who told the khan I spared his son during their raid. It was my compassion that ensured Jambal’s family were freed and we recovered our bodies.” She had to make him understand. “Their camp is so much like ours,” she continued. “Their traditions the same. I stayed in a guest yurt and when I woke, the sounds outside were like being at home. I spoke with many of their people at dinner and they all want peace, but not all trust us to keep our end of the bargain.”

He scowled.

“See, brother, without talking to them, we wouldn’t have known. We would have reacted emotionally instead of rationally. Our warriors become fewer with every battle. Soon there will be no one to protect us.”

“But you’ve seen to that as well, haven’t you?” Amar said. “You’re training the women to fight.”

“To protect themselves and the tribe,” she corrected. “We can’t rely on our warriors any longer. We need to take control of our own safety.”